Technical issues for Air Vanuatu’s only Boeing 737 leaves hundreds stranded

Technical issues for Air Vanuatu’s only Boeing 737 leaves hundreds stranded

The realities of flying on an airline with just one jet aircraft in its fleet is hitting home for travellers stranded across three cities due to a technical issue grounding Air Vanuatu’s Boeing 737.

Passengers in Sydney, Auckland and Port Vila are awaiting alternative travel after the aircraft suffered mechanical issues in Brisbane.

The next departure out of Auckland isn’t expected until Wednesday.

Air Vanuatu says it has “reached out to partner airlines for support in flying the affected passengers this weekend while their aircraft is awaiting parts.”

“However, unfortunately there are no additional services available at this time,” it said in a statement.

Most Air Vanuatu international flights to and from Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland will not be operational until Tuesday at the earliest.

Many flights listed by the airline have been rescheduled to unknown dates.

Laura Turner was one of those passengers stranded.

“Yes Air Vanuatu only has one big plane for flights to Aus,” she tweeted.

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